Northern Ireland

In May 2007, The Portland Trust published a study entitled Economics and Peacemaking: Lessons from Northern Ireland which examined the economic dimension of the peace process in Northern Ireland.

The main findings of the report are:

Economic disparity was a principal aggravating factor. In 1985 Catholic unemployment was 14% higher than Protestant unemployment and violence was high. By 2004 the gap had fallen to 3.5% and violence was low

Public sector financial support underpinned the economy through the most difficult periods of conflict

Private sector growth, supported by substantial foreign direct investment, was a key driver of increased employment and improved living standards

International mediation began around economic issues. Senator George Mitchell, who eventually chaired the talks that led to the 1998 Agreement, first went to Northern Ireland as a special economic adviser. Economic discussions became a platform for political settlement and business organisations became a key lobby for peace.

In line with the mission of The Portland Trust we hope that some of the lessons learned may prove useful in the Middle East.

The Portland Trust is a British non-profit ‘action tank’ whose mission is to promote peace and stability between Israelis and Palestinians through economic development.